When the Cubs play their Wrigley Field opener Monday fans and players will find a very different-improved-Wrigley Field designed to make the trip to the Friendly Confines more enjoyable.
Improvements include:
Restroom Upgrades. The left field men’s and right field women’s restrooms in the main concourse have been expanded, and most other lower grandstand restrooms were renovated.
Batting Tunnel Arcade. A batting tunnel arcade has been added under the right field bleachers allowing fans to watch batting practice during pre-game warm-ups in the arcade. The batting tunnel arcade includes new food and beverage facilities operated by Levy Restaurants.
Expanded Menu at the Sheffield Grill that will now be open to the public and a rotating menu of new food and beverage items will be available, with changes after each home stand.
Captain Morgan Club has been expanded to create a second seating pavilion to protect fans from the elements. The Captain Morgan Club is open to the public every day during the baseball season.
PNC Club of Chicago is new this year. It is a 71-seat club offering members high-end catering, a full-service bar, concierge service and indoor/outdoor seating for an all-inclusive game day experience.
Scoreboard Renovation. The historic Wrigley Field scoreboard has been renovated to its original 1937 condition—the first restoration in more than 70 years.
Concrete and Steel Repair. Portions of the seating bowl and ramp system throughout the ballpark have been repaired or replaced to strengthen and improve the appearance of the grandstand seating and high-traffic areas of the ballpark.
Concrete Panels on the Addison Street side of Wrigley Field have been removed, opening the ballpark to views of the City and providing welcome sunlight to the ramps, stairwells and concourse.
Clubhouse Expansion. A new and expanded weight room, kitchen and nutrition center, and player’s lounge were added to the clubhouse, in the first significant expansion since 1984.
Left Field Sign. A new creative advertisement will be added in left field. The proposed Toyota sign brings new revenue to the team for player development and the preservation of Wrigley Field.
The Cubs will continue their text messaging service allowing fans to call attention to issues in the ballpark. Text the Cubs at 88019 with the keyword FAN, a seat location and a brief description of the issue and a park representative will respond.
New concession items, including a new Sara Lee “ultimate” hot dog, High Plains bison burgers and franks and other healthy choice food options will be introduced this year. A site directory for food options can be found at www.cubs.com/sth.
Now it’s time to Play Ball!!!
